It’s easy to put off making a will. But if you die without one, your assets may be distributed according to the law, rather than your wishes.
This autumn, St Luke’s Hospice will be launching their Make A Will campaign in which 16 local firms have agreed to participate. If you haven’t written your Will, then perhaps this opportunity could be what you are looking for.
How does the Make a Will scheme work?
A group of local solicitors have agreed to either make a donation to St Luke’s or waive their normal fee and write standard wills free of charge in return for a donation to the Hospice.
How can you help and benefit from making a will?
To take part, all you have to do is contact any one of the solicitors listed below between 1st September and Friday 30th October, and quote “Make A Will week for St Luke’s Hospice”. If you agree to go ahead, the solicitor will then either donate a percentage of their fee to St Luke’s (usually around 20-25%) or ask for a donation to the Hospice, instead of you paying their usual will writing fee. The donation is up to you, but for your guidance, writing a will can cost between £75 and £120 per person. The donation is made by cheque payable to "St Luke’s Hospice" which the solicitor will send to us. It should be noted that if your circumstances are complicated, or you want some specialised advice (e.g. tax advice) then the solicitor is entitled to tell you that they cannot do it under the “Make a Will” scheme, and will charge you for specialised advice.
Is there any obligation to leave a gift in your will to St Luke’s?
No. There is no obligation at all, but we are always grateful to people who remember us in this way. Over the coming years gifts in wills left to St Luke’s Hospice by supporters in their wills could well provide the key to meeting the future needs of local people in Harrow and Brent. By deciding to include St Luke’s in your will you could help transform future hospice care in your local community. As a gift to charity is also exempt from inheritance tax, your charitable gift effectively lowers the IHT on your estate. That means you can support St Luke’s Hospice and reduce the amount of tax your family or other beneficiaries will have to pay at the same time.
SOLICITORS WHO WILL DONATE A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR FEE TO ST LUKE’S FOR THE PREPARATION OF ANY STANDARD OR MIRROR WILL ARE:
| Burrows Solicitors | 298-300 Preston Road, Harrow, HA3 0QB | 020 8904 4150 |
| Conway & Company Solicitors | 109 High Street, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 5DL | 020 8863 0535 |
| Curry Popeck Solicitors | 380 Kenton Road, Kenton, Harrow, Middx, HA3 8DP | 020 8907 2000 |
| E M Collins & Co. Solicitors | Pinn House, 2 High Street, Pinner, Middx, HA5 5PW | 020 8866 1820 |
| Harold Benjamin Solicitors | Hill House, 67-71 Lowlands Road, Harrow, HA1 3EQ | 020 8422 5678 |
| Hebbar and Co. Solicitors | 157 Mandeville Road, Northolt, Middx, HA5 4LZ | 020 8423 8234 |
| Phillips and Phillips Solicitors | 220 Northolt Road, South Harrow, Middx, HA2 8DS | 020 8422 4435 |
| Kotecha and Co. Solicitors | 40b Station Road, North Harrow, Middx HA2 7SE | 020 8426 0014 |
| Redferns Solicitors | 9 Churchill Court, 58 Station Road, North Harrow, Middx, HA2 7SA | 020 8424 7070 |
| Sweetman, Burke and Sinker | 158-160 Broadway, West Ealing, London W13 0JL | 020 8840 2572 |
| Tubervilles Solicitors | Witton House, Lower Road, Chorleywood, WD3 5LB | 01923 284112 01923 285869 |
| Wheeler, Galvin and Wheeler | 82 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2PR | 020 8459 5588 |
| Rebecca Hillman | (Provides will writing services to clients at home) | 020 8340 3102 |
SOLICITORS WHO HAVE AGREED TO MAKE A WILL FREE ARE:
Instead of paying their fee, you will be asked to give a donation to St Luke's Hospice. The suggested donation level is £75 for a single will, £110 for mirror wills, or £ for codicils.
| Alliance Solicitors | 595 Kenton Road, Harrow, Middx, HA3 9RT | 020 8206 3530 |
| Garside and Hoy Solicitors (September 2009) | 21-23 The Bridge, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 5AG | 020 8427 5656 |
| Mills Chody Solicitors | 226-228 Kenton Road, Harrow, Middx, HA3 8BZ | 020 8909 0400 |
A solicitor who is participating says, “We are supporting St Luke's Make a Will campaign because the Hospice is a marvellous charity that cares for many people within our local community. Our clients are aware of its importance and are happy to give it their support.”
If you or anyone you know is interested in joining our Make A Will campaign, please contact Amanda Zeigler on 020 8382 8022 or by e-mail.
Useful links:
www.lawsociety.org.uk/home.law
www.rememberacharity.org.uk
www.legacypromotioncampaign.org.uk